Our Lady of the Lost and Found
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Author Description
One Monday morning in April, a middle-aged writer walks into her living room to water the plants and finds a woman standing beside her potted fig tree. Dressed in a navy blue trench coat and white Nikes, the woman introduces herself as "Mary. Mother of God.... You know. Mary." Instead of a golden robe or a crown, she arrives bearing a practical wheeled suitcase. Weary after two thousand years of adoration and petition, Mary is looking for a little R & R. She's asked in for lunch, and decides to stay a week. As the story of their visit unfolds, so does the story of Mary-one of the most complex and powerful female figures of our time-and her changing image in culture, art, history, as well as the thousands of recorded sightings that have placed her everywhere from a privet hedge to the dented bumper of a Camaro.As this Everywoman and Mary become friends, their conversations, both profound and intimate, touch upon Mary's significance and enduring relevance. Told with humor and grace, Our Lady of the Lost and Found is an absorbing tour through Mary's history and a thoughtful meditation on spirituality, our need for faith, and our desire to believe in something larger than ourselves.
Menrva's Summary
THE PULSE
A middle-aged writer finds her life upended when the Virgin Mary appears in her living room seeking a brief respite from two millennia of human devotion. The protagonist must navigate the logistical and existential challenges of hosting a divine guest who arrives with a suitcase and a desire for normalcy. As the two women engage in daily routines, the narrative shifts between their intimate domestic interactions and the broader historical and cultural implications of Mary's presence. The story employs a blend of realistic domestic drama and metaphysical inquiry to examine the weight of faith and the evolution of a religious icon.
INSIDE THE PAGES
- A central premise rooted in magical realism that brings a divine figure into a mundane, contemporary setting.
- Interspersed historical vignettes detailing the evolution of Mary's image in art, culture, and theology.
- A narrative structure that balances personal, conversational dialogue with scholarly reflection.
- Exploration of the thousands of recorded sightings of Mary throughout history.
- A focus on the contrast between the mythic status of the Mother of God and her portrayed human weariness.
- Themes of spirituality, the necessity of belief, and the human desire for connection to the transcendent.
- A tone that maintains humor and grace while addressing profound existential questions.
- A character study of the protagonist as she grapples with the implications of her unexpected visitor.
THE COLLECTIVE ECHO
This work is characterized by its inventive fusion of domestic realism and historical inquiry, which invites readers to reconsider the cultural weight of religious iconography. The narrative style suggests a contemplative pace, prioritizing philosophical dialogue over high-stakes external conflict. By grounding the divine in the everyday, the book explores the intersection of personal faith and public perception with a light, observational touch. The text likely appeals to those interested in the intersection of theology and contemporary literature, offering a unique perspective on how ancient figures remain relevant in modern life.
Page Count:
432
Publication Date:
2001-01-01
Publisher:
HarperCollins Publishers Canada, Limited
ISBN-10:
0002255103
ISBN-13:
9780002255103
Contemporary
Literary Fiction
Spirituality
Literature & Fiction
Canadian
World Literature
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